Pub. 7 2018 Issue 1

l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s 8 By Lisa Carver, Moxie Consulting, Inc., getmoremoxie.com TOO MUCH TO DO AND NOT ENOUGH TIME? D O YOU EVER GET TO WORK AND FEEL overwhelmed by the tasks to be accomplished, unsure of what to do first? Do you feel pulled in various directions about your workload? Do you start one project, partially finish it, and then start on something else? And what about when a new customer arrives or the phone rings….again? If this sounds familiar, you might benefit from increasing your time management skills. Most of us have heard the basics: don’t multitask, place a “don’t interrupt” sign on your door, and only check your emails as certain times during the day. While those tips sound good in theory, the reality for many of us is that we multitask because our jobs require it. We don’t have a door, but instead a cubicle or a counter with regular customers to assist. What’s more, we are expected to reply to emails in a timely manner, not only at a designated time during the day. Managing your time effectively can seem like a colossal task. There are, however, strategies to help you meet the demands of a multitasking job. First of all, remember that busy does not always mean productive. Having a plan is key. While it might be true that doing a lot of things leads to results, without planning, being busy often makes you feel more like a hamster on a wheel. It can leave you with a constant need to do something and a tendency to waste time on tasks that are not helping you reach your intended goals. Asking these three questions is a good start to becoming more productive throughout your day: • Does this have to be done? If not, cross it off the list (physically and/or mentally). • Does it have to be done by me? Is someone else better suited for this task? Can it be delegated or shared? • Does it have to be done now? Tasks right in front of us present a sense of urgency when really they can be done later when the important items are complete. The daily goal of time management is to clear away things that don’t really matter to make time for the people and tasks that do matter. (It’s also about creating time for yourself to recreate and rejuvenate!) Here are seven effective steps to help you increase your time management skills, even at the toughest job: 1. Focus on the important things first. This requires you to make a task list. After answering the questions above to determine which are most important tasks to complete today, use the following tool to decide what to do first. 2. Set a time frame for the task. Allotting a certain amount of time for the task will force you to be mentally focused and help you be more productive. You may have interruptions that impact the deadline, but simply establishing a time frame helps you produce results. 3. Create a system. How much time do you spend looking for things that “are right here somewhere”? Designate folders, drawers, and electronic files for your projects, emails, and tasks. It doesn’t have to be difficult to create a system. Remember: a system can be modified as needed and will make all your other tasks easier to complete. 4. Pause and be grateful. Anxiety isn’t always great for productivity. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to be still and remind yourself of how well you are doing. It’s easy to get caught up in the long list of things to do. Make time to breathe, stretch, walk around and practice self-kindness. We sometimes beat ourselves up when we could instead be saying: “I’ve got this!” 5. Have a planning mindset. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to create a “to do” list for the next day. It will save you time and energy later. 6. Get your zzzz’s. It is hard to concentrate and be effective at work when you are tired. Getting an adequate amount of sleep can improve your critical thinking skills, your customer and employee interactions, and your ability to complete tasks in a timely manner. Turn off the electronics/tv and go to sleep! 7. Procrastination is not your friend. Everyone is guilty of procrastinating, but for some it’s a chronic problem. Sometimes you have to take the plunge and just get started. To do so, concentrate on the feeling of accomplishment that you will have when you remove the task from your “to do” list. What time management habits do you have in place now? Now that you’ve read the list above, think about which skills you already practice and what behaviors need improvement. The only way to create new habits is to consistently act in a different way. When you create daily time management habits, you will be more effective, have less stress, and use your time doing things that bring you pleasure. These are all good reasons to try something new! So pick one item from the list and start today. Lisa will be a featured speaker at the 2018 Tri-state Leadership and HR Conference scheduled for March 27-28 at the Marriott in Overland Park. To register and learn more about this event, visit ksbankers.com on or after January 16.